Coil spring inserting machine



March 6, 1934. c. LOFMAN COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE Filed March 18.1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR es L TTO I fhor of cm f/Q RNEY March 6,1934. c. LOFMAN COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed March 18 lNTR ChoHes L )Cn/1cm BY gx/CL ATTORNEY March 6, 1934. c,LOFMAN 1,950,186

COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE Filed March 18. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 g5Charles LO on muvo/CL H TTO'RN EY Patented Mar. 6, 1934 COIL SPRINGINSERTING MACHINE Charles Lofman, Riverside, Ill., assignor to S. Karpen& Bros., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 181931, Serial No. 523,499

17 Claims.

The invention relates to new and improved mechanism for insertingsprings in the pockets of fabric strips for the making of cushions,mattresses, seats, and the like.

My invention comprises in general a hollow or box-like member adapted toreceive a spring in compressed status, and means for moving the hollowmember and therewith the contained compressed spring into a pocket of apreformed partitioned fabric or between two layers of fabric thepartitions or pocket formation of which is formed subsequent to theinsertion of the spring, and which mechanism provides for the withdrawalof such hollow or box-like member from within the fabric preparatory forreceiving a succeeding spring and repeated spring inserting movement.

More particularly, my invention comprises means associated with thehollow or box-like member arranged for automatically opening the edgesof the fabric or mouth of a preformed pocketed fabric, preparatory tothe spring feeding movement of the member.

In further particulars, my invention comprises means for receivingsprings individually in succession, means for compressing each spring asreceived, means for positioning the compressed spring into the hollow orboxlike member and means for automatically displacing the spring fromthe hollow or box-like member after insertion within the fabric.

A further particular of my invention resides in the synchronism movementof spring inserting means with means for feeding the fabric at pocketspace feeding displacement, whereby upon insertion of each spring, thefabric is fed to the sewing machine head or equivalent mechanism forstitching the pocket mouth and preparatory for receiving the succeedingsprings.

A further particular resides in the combination of my hollow or box-likemember for receiving each spring individually in compressed status andan ejector operated in synchronism with the insertion movement of thehollow or box-like member. In the most preferred forms of my invention,such ejector operatealso as the feeding element for positioning wi hinthe hollow or boxlike member each spring in compressed status.

Other novel and advantageous features of the invention are suicientlyexplained in connection with the following detail description lof theaccompanying drawings, which show one representative embodiment. Afterconsidering this example, skilled persons will understand .that manyvariations may be made without departing (Cl. 22S- 18) from theprinciples disclosed; and I contemplate the employment of any structuresthat are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Fig. l is a top plane showing essential parts of a machine embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a section at 2--2, Fig. 1, enlarged.

Fig. 3 is a section at 3 3, Fig. l.

Fig, 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail showing a supply chute,spring holder and spring compressor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial top plan, and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section, showing a position relation of the partssucceeding that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 7 and 8, and Figs. 9 and 10, are similar plan and sectional Viewsshowing successive subsequent stages of a complete cycle of the machine.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a bed plate or table l is supported onlegs 2 and 3. A supporting and guide plate 4 for the pocketed fabricstrip 5 extends along one end of table 1, at right angles thereto andslightly below the table level, as shown in Fig. 2. This guide plate issupported in any convenient Way, as by brackets extending from legs 2,(not shown). The fabric strip 5 usually consists of a single piece offabric folded at its outer edge 6 ,(with relation to the position of thestrip in the machine) producing upper and lower plies of fabric whichare connected by spaced transverse rows of stitching 7 to form thespring pockets 8. These lines of'stitching terminate at a short distancefrom the edge of the fabric opposite to the fold edge 6, leaving freemargins 9 of the upper and lower plies of fabric, to facilitateinsertion of the springs, as will appear. The strip is directed from aroll (not shown) to and over the supporting or guide plate 4, in thedirection of the arrow 5a, Fig.,1.

A slide l0, conveniently identified as a springholder slide, is arrangedto reciprocate (toward and from the fabric strip) in guides ll securedto the table 1. This slide has an extension 12, directed toward thefabric strip, with a rounded leading end and of a width less than apocket length (in the longitudinal direction of the strip) A plate 14 isconnected to the slide extension l2 at the edges thereof to form abox-like spring receiving pocket or spring holder 15, which is open atboth ends to permit insertion and discharge of the spring. The forwardend of this holder (the end directed toward the fabric strip) is movablyclosed by a plate or shutter 16 hingedly connected at 17 to the forwardedge of plate 14.. This shutter is of rounded contour corresponding tothe shape of the leading end of the slide extension 12, and normallydrops by gravity to the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the forwardend of the shutter rests on the forward end of the slide extension 12.

Another slide 20 is arranged to reciprocate in guides 21 on table 1, inline with the spring holder 15 of slide 10. This slide 20, which may beconveniently identified as a spring pushing slide, is of a widthpermitting it to enter spring holder l4 and it has at its forward end,directed toward the spring holder, a short extension or nose 22 adaptedto engage a compressed spring, insert it into the holder or pocket l5 ofslide 10 and to eject the spring therefrom after the holder has beeninserted in a pocket of the fabric strip, as later further explained.Slide 20 has on its upper face a central, longitudinal re-enforcing rib23, the forward end 24 of which is in vertical alignment with theforward end of the nose piece 22 of the slide, and affords a verticalface of substantial length to properly engage the coils of the springwhen in compressed condition. Slide 10 has guide strips 24 aligned withguides 21, to receive and guide slide 20 when the latter is in forwardor advanced position, as will appear.

To assist in opening the fabric pocket, to facilitate entry of theforward end of slide extension 12, a plate 25 is secured to the edge ofthe table in centered relation to the slide extension 12. This plate islocated between the free edges of the upper and lower plies of thefabric strip. A pocket-opening arm or rod 26 is supported by a rod 27pivotally mounted` in the upper end of a bracket 28 secured, to thetableor to one of the slide guides 1l. Arm 26 extendsy slantingly forward anddownward in front of the forward end of the hinged cover plate 16 andits end 29 normally rests in a socket in plate 25. This rod end 29 ispreferably as shown of hooked form to cooperate with the upper freefabric margin, as will appear.

The springs 30 of helical form are supplied in any suitable manner, asthrough a chute 31 (Fig. 4) the discharge end 32 of which is locatedsubstantially above slide 10 when the latter is in normal or retractedposition, so that a spring descending from the chute is deposited on theslide between the spring holder 15 thereon and the forward end 22 ofslide 20 which at that time is also in fully retracted position, asshown in Fig. 1. The chute 31'may be the discharge chute of aspring-makingmachine which itself is not a part of the presentinvention, or the chute may be a feed chute associated with andsupported on my spring inserting, machine, and into which the springsare placed in any convenient way.

A spring compressor 35 is carried by the laterally offset end of acompressing arm or lever 36 fulcrumed at 37 inra frame bracket 38. Thecompressor 35 is of channel or inverted U-section, to enable it tostraddle reenforcing rib 23 when in its downward, spring compressingposition. The forward or upward end of the compressor 35 in its downwardmovement enters a slot 40 in one side of chute 31 and the compressorthen moves down through the chute and engages the top of a springpositioned on slide 10 as appears in Figs. 1 and 2, and by furtherdownward movement compresses the spring to such vertical dimension thatit will enter the spring holder or pocket 15 of slide extension 12. Therearward end of plate 14 constituting ther top of the spring holder orpocket is notched as at 41 to accommodate the end of the compressor whenin its lowermost position.

The fabric strip is advanced at a proper time in the machine cycle, aswill appear, by a pusher 45 carried by a plunger 46 reciprocating inguides 47 on a frame plate or bracket 48 extending from the forward endof the table. The pusher cooperates with a bulged portion of the fabricpocket after a spring has been placed therein and eX- panded; or asotherwise described, the pusher engages the expanded spring with theupper fabric layer of the pocket interposed between the spring and thepusher. The pusher plunger also carries a guide piece 49 co-operatingwith the folded edge of the fabric strip, as suiciently shown in Figs. 1and 2.

. The pusher plunger is operated by a link 50 connected to one arm of abell crank 51 fulcrumed at 52, or equivalent, on the table or on bracket43. The other arm of the bell-crank is connected by a link 53 to one endof a rod 54 mounted to reciprocate in brackets or lugs 55 secured to oneside of the table.

The slides, spring compressor and strip feeding pusher are operated inproper synchronism by cams or crank and link mechanism or equivalentfrom a main drive shaft which revolves in bearings 61 secured to theunderside of the table. The shaft 60 is shown driven in the direction ofthe applied arrow, Fig. 2, by any suitable means such'as a pulley andbelt from a counter-shaft or by individual motor drive. Slide 10 has onits underside a lug or bracket 65, Fig. 2, which moves in a longitudinalslot 66 in the table 1.

The angular or offset end portion 67 of a link 68 is pivotally connectedto this lug 65, and the opposite end of the link is connected to thelong arm 69 of a bell crank fulcruined at 70 on a fioor bracket 71. Theother, short arm of the bell crank is pivotally connected to a link 72which is in turn connected to a rod or plunger 73 which is guided toreciprocate in sleeves 74 on arms 75 extending, say, from table leg 3.The upper end of the plunger has a cam follower roll 76 engaging a cam77 on shaft 60 and the roll is shown maintained in contact with the camby a spring 78 located about the plunger and engaging the upper arm 75.Cam rotation is permitted by a table slot 79. The cam has a gradual riseportion and a substantially radial quick-drop portion 80.

While spring 78 may serve partly to retract slide 10, additional means,such as springs 81, may be provided, tensioned between pins 82 on theslide and pins 83 secured in the table, to more positively retract theslide and to steady its motion in its guides 11 by spring pull appliedto the opposite sides of the slide adjacent the guides.

The slide 20 Vis driven, say, by a crank 84 on one end of shaft 60,-through a link 85 connected to the short arm of a bell crank 86,fulcrumed at 87,

and a link 89 connecting the long arm of the bell crank to a lug 90 atthe rearward end of the slide. The spring compressor 35 is operated,say, by a short arm 91 operatively integral with lever arm 36, having acam roll 92 engaging the periphery of an eccentridcam 93, which moveswithin the rearward part of table slot 66.

Plungei 54, above referred to, which operates the pusher 45, may itselfbe operated, as shown,

by a cam 95V on shaft 60 engaging a cam roll 96 on the rearward end ofthe plunger. The cam roll is maintained in contact with the cam and thepusher is normally retracted by a conveniently located spring, such asspring 97 tensioned between an arm of bell crank 51 and a point on thetable. Cam 95 has a rise portion 98, Fig. 3, designed to advance theplunger and pusher 45 in approximately one-quarter of a shaft rotation,and a substantially radial, quick-drop portion 99. The free margins ofthe pocket mouths of a pre-formed fabric strip are desirably stitched orotherwise connected to one another after spring insertion by mechanismforming a part of the present machine and in suitable operative relationwith the machine proper. For this purpose a sewing machine isillustrated, suitably arranged or mounted in a convenient positionbeyond the spring-inserting means, as sufficiently indicated by thepresser-foot 100 located to connect the strip margins by a line ofstitching 101. The

sewing machine is preferably driven by an electric motor (not shown) andis suitably operated in accordance with the periods of movement andcessation of the feed of the fabric pocket strip;

e for intermittent periods of operation of the sewing machine, electriccontacts in the motor circuit controlled directly or indirectly by thecam shaft 60, say, for periods of circuit closing Where the sewingmachine is actuated to stitch the strip ,5 margins together while thestrip is advancing,

and to stop while the strip is stationary as during spring insertion.For this purpose an insulating block 110, see Fig. 3, is secured to theunderside of the table 1 adjacent one end of the plunger 54. Theinsulating block suports a contact strip 111 in parallel relation to theplunger. This strip has a binding post or circuit terminal 112. Theplunger 54 has at one end an offset arm or extension 113, which may beof electrical insulation material (Fig. 3) and at the end of this ismounted a metal block 114 supporting a springpressed contact member 115which, when the plunger is in retracted position engages a portion ofthe insulation block, and While the plunger C advances, engages thecontact strip 111. The

metal block 114 has a binding post or circuit terminal 113. Circuitconductors leading from the sewing machine motor are connected to thebinding posts 112 and 1120, so that when the plunger 54 is moved forward(to the right in Figs. 1 and 2), actuating the pusher 45 to advance thefabric strip after a spring has been placed in a pocket, as presently tobe described, the motor circuit is closed through contacts 111 and and115 and the sewing machine operates to stitch the fabric margins to oneanother while the strip advances, and at the end of the strip-feedaction the pusher and the moving contact 115 are very rapidly withdrawnas cam roll 96 reaches the quick-drop portion 99 of cam 95, wherebyoperation of the sewing machine is discontinued practically concurrentlywith cessation of strip feed. As is apparent, such accelerated movementof the plunger 54 during the period of effective operation of thequick-drop portion 99 of the cam 95, and accelerated movement of thecontact 115 effected by the plunger 54 as it approaches and passes theend of the Contact 111, minimizes arcing at the instant of breaking ofthe circuit.

' Figs. l and 2 show the parts in a position corresponding to an assumedbeginning of the machine cycle. Slides and 20, pusher 45, and springcompressor 35 are each in retracted position. A spring 30 is depositedfrom chute 31 upon slide 10 in the position of Figs. 1 and 2, in open i.e., uncompressed status; cam 93 acting on cam roll 92 and lever 36 movesthe compressor 35 downward to engage the upper terminus of the springand compress it in vertical dimension to admit insertion into theopen-frame holder 15.

While theslide 10 and the holder are maintainedl receive the spring andthis entrance is facilitated.

by the action of the hooked end 29 of arm 26. As the slide advances, theforward end of shutter 16 engages the arm and raises it, thus causingthe hook 29 to engage and raise the margin of the upper free edge of thepocket mouth, thus affording easy entrance into the pocket of the springholder carrying the spring to a centered position within the pocket. Thecrank and linkage of slide are so designed as to retain the slide 20 instationary or approximately stationary position while slide 10 isretracted by its spring 81 as permitted by the continued rotation of itscam 93 sufhciently to eject the spring from holder 15, the hinged plateor cover 16 being in this action swung upward to permit the spring topass out of the holder, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, whereupon the springimmediately expands and distende the pocket (Figs. 9 and 10) slide 10with the spring holder is then fully retracted from the pocket to normalposition, Fig. l, and slide 20 is also returned to normal retractedposition, and cam 95 then acts to advance the strip pusher and feedthefabric strip for- Ward a distance equal to one pocket length, withconcurrent operation of the sewing machine to stitch the strip marginsto one another. The strip pusher 45 is then retracted completing themachine cycle.

My invention is applicable for utilization' with any preferredconstruction of fabric whether preformed with pocket partitions or ofdoubled layers of single or separate fabric suitably stitched after coilinsertion to properly enclose the inserted springs. My invention isapplicable for any type of stitching or other securing mechanismsuitable for and in association with the spring inserting machineproper; such stitching mechanism may be separate from or integral withmy spring inserting machine. The invention is adaptable for feeding thefabric either manually or automatically or partially manually andpartially automatically. For manual feeding, the operator isadvantageously positioned at all times to fully check the properoperation of the spring forming machine, as Well as the feeding of thesprings 'to and from my spring inserting mechanism proper.

Whereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression, aspring pusher, means for operating the pusher to insert a compressedspring in the holder, and means for moving the holder slide and pusherconcurrently and relatively to insert the spring into a strip pocket, todischarge the spring from the holder Within the pocket and zo return theslide and pusher to retracted posiion.

2. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression, aspring pusher, means for operating the pusher to insert a compressedspring in the holder, and means for moving the holder slide and pusherconcurrently and relatively to insert the spring into a strip pocket, todischarge the spring from the holder Within the pocket and to return theslide and pusher to retracted position wherein the pusher is rearwardlyspaced from the holder for receiving a spring between them.

3. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in' compression, aspring pusher, means for operating the pusher to insert a compressedspring in the holder, means for supplying and compressing a spring inposition for insertion into the holder 1 and means ior moving the holderslide and pusher concurrently and relatively to insert the spring into astrip pocket, to discharge the spring from the holder within the pocketand to return the slide and pusher to retracted position.

e. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression,means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, means for movingthe holder slide and the spring inserting means relative to one another,means or discharging the spring from the hoider within the strip pocketand an opening device to separate free margins of the fabric pocket.

5. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression,means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means fordischarging the spring from the holder Within the vstrip pocket and anopening device to separate free margins ci the fabric pocket, saiddevice being actuatedin advance movement of the holder slide.

6. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain aspring in compression,means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means fordischarging the spring from the holder within the strip pocket and anopening device to separate free margins of the fabric pocket, saiddevice being operated by the holder slide in its advancing movement.

7. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittentlyadvancing apocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted toenter a strip pocketand having a hclderadapted to retain a spring in compression, means forinserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means for dischargingthe spring from the holder within the strip pocket, a plate instationary position in the path of slide movement between `free edges ofthe fabric strip, and an oscillating opening device normally resting onthe plate and operated in advance of slide movement to open a strippocket to receive the spring holder. I

y 8. A spring linserting machine comprising means, for intermittentlyadvancing a pocketedV fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strippocket and having a holder adapted to retain a' spring in compression,means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means fordischarging the spring from the holder within the strip pocket, a platein stationary position in the path of slide movement between free edgesof the fabric strip, and an oscillating opening device normally restingon the plate and operated by a portion of the slide in its advancemovement to open a strip pocket to receive the spring holder.

9. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, a pocket-strip-supportextending crosswise oi the table at one end, a spring-holding slidereciprocating in guides on the table to insert springs in pockets of thestrip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table inline with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrentlyand separately.

10. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, apocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, aspring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insertsprings in pockets of the strip, a spring holder on said slidesubstantially in theshape of a box open at front and rear ends, a pusherslide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with theholder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently andseparately.

ll. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, apocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, aspring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insertsprings in pockets of the strip, a spring holder on said slidesubstantially in the shape of a box open at front and rear ends, aclosure plate movably mounted and normally closing the forward end ofthe spring holder, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides onthe table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slidesconcurrently and separately.

l2. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, apocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, aspring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insertsprings in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocatein guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means formoving the slides concurrently and separately, and an opening deviceacting the pocket strip and actuated in advance of the holder slide toopen the pocket mouth for entry of the holder.

13. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, apocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, aspring-holding slide reciprocating in guideson the table to insertsprings in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocatein guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means formoving the slides concurrently and separately, the holder slide having aportion anterior to the spring holder adapted to receive a spring.

i4. A spring inserting machine comprising a l table, apocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the tablev at one end, aspring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insertsprings in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocatein guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means formoving the slides concurrently and separately, the holder slide having aportion anterior to the spring holder adapted to receive a spring, andmeans between free margins of .i

for compressing a spring positioned on said por- T tion of the holderslide ready for insertion into the holder by action of the pusher slide.

l5. A spring inserting machine comprising means for supporting a fabricstrip, means including a cam for advancing the fabric strip, said camhaving an effective cam face providing relatively accelerated motion,means for inserting springs in the strip pockets, a sewing machinearranged to connect open margins after spring insertion, and meanscontrolled by the strip advancing means to control the operation of thesewing machine, said sewing machine control means including a movableelectrical contact and means for moving said movable contact at theperiod of circuit breaking during the period of operation of saideective face of said cam.

16. A spring inserting machine comprising means for supporting a fabricstrip, means for advancing the fabric strip, said fabric strip advancingmeans including cam means having a period of relatively acceleratedmotion, means for inserting springs in the strip pockets, a sewingmachine arranged to connect free strip margins after spring insertion, amotor for driving the sewing machine, and means controlled by the stripadvancing means to drive the motor and sewing machine while the strip isadvancing and to stop the motor and sewing machine while the strip isstationary during spring insertion, said motor stopping means includingan electrical contact and means for moving said electrical contact toeffect circuit breaking during the period of relatively acceleratedmotion of said cam means.

17. A spring inserting machine comprising means for supporting a fabricstrip, means for advancing the fabric strip, said fabric strip advancingmeans including cam means having a period of relatively acceleratedmotion, means for inserting springs in the strip pockets, a sewingmachine arranged to connect the margins after spring insertion, anelectrical motor for driving the sewing machine, contacts in the motorcircuit, and means actuated by the strip advancing means to actuate theelectrical motor and sewing machine While the strip is advancing and tostop the motor and sewing machine while the strip is stationary duringthe spring insertion, and means for moving one of said contacts at thestage of circuit breaking during the period of relatively acceleratedmotion of said cam means.

CHARLES LOFMAN.

